Days After SNL Firing, Shane Gillis Show Canceled In Rutherford

RUTHERFORD, NJ - Days after Shane Gillis was fired from “Saturday Night Live” after offensive comments he made resurfaced, the William Carlos Williams Center canceled a show featuring the comedian.

Gillis was set to headline a show on Oct. 19 at the venue, however it has since been canceled and refunds were issued, according to a statement issued by the Williams Center board of trustees.

Before the season even started, “Saturday Night Live” dropped Gillis, one of its newly announced cast members, after critics called attention to his history of sexist, homophobic and racist remarks.

Since then several venues have either canceled or postponed scheduled appearances, Slate.com reported. In addition to the Williams Center, the Acme Comedy Co. in Minneapolis said Gillis would no longer perform there next month and the Helium Comedy Club in Indianapolis plans to reschedule performances.

Located in downtown Rutherford, the Williams Center, a private non-profit organization, is “dedicated to providing performance space, programs of artistic excellence and serving the cultural needs of the socially and ethnically diversified people of Bergen, Hudson, Passaic and Essex counties, New Jersey,” according to its website.

The Williams Center board declined to issue any further comment about the cancellation, but did say it was “extremely excited” about its next comedy night on Dec. 7 and plan to announce the show’s headliner on Oct. 24.

In response to the SNL firing on Monday, Gillis issued statements on his Twitter account, saying he respected the decision and was “honestly grateful for the opportunity.”

He also added: “I was always a mad tv guy anyways.”

Gillis also responded to the backlash, saying he wanted to apologize to “anyone who’s actually offended” by his comments.

“I’m a comedian who pushes boundaries. I sometimes miss,” he said. “I’m happy to apologize to anyone who’s actually offended by anything I’ve said. My intention is never to hurt anyone but I am trying to be the best comedian I can be and sometimes that requires risks.”